Joseph Albert Davis' Obituary
Joseph A Davis, 80 years old, passed away peacefully in his home surrounded by loved ones on February 4, 2018. He was born in Stanton, Texas on August 9, 1937 to Joseph E and Rosalie Davis. He was the oldest of four children. He loved music, education, Jesus, and his baby sister, Mary Jane. He and his brothers Jim and Sam grew up in the Kessler Park area of Oak Cliff. His first jobs were as a soda jerk and an usher at the Majestic Theater. He graduated in 1955 from Sunset High School and went on to attend the University of Oklahoma in Norman, where he met the most beautiful red head in the world with a laugh that sounded like bells! He married that red head on August 7, 1959. Susan Mae Caldwell became Susan Mae Davis and mother to his two sons, Michael and Larry. Joe adored his wife and sons. They were his greatest inspirations. Joe made sure his boys were the center of his world. He was their scout master, baseball coach, and best friend. He loved his Susie Q from top to bottom. They have shared nearly 60 years together. Life wasn’t always easy, but nothing worth having ever is.Joe was the most brilliant man we have ever known. He was a pioneer in the field of IT, writing many programs still in use today. He enjoyed the theater, creating magic in his garden, baking the best yeast rolls and pizzas on the planet, and singing as loud as he could.He had, in his words, the great honor and pleasure of raising his three grandchildren Jennifer, Landon, and Alexis. Jennifer is the daughter he always wanted. He designed her pageant dresses and called her his princess. Jennifer has remained very close to her grandparents. Landon was his grandad’s little man, even after he towered above him. Alexis was Joe’s Miss America. He loved when she’d giggle and mispronounce her name as “Texas” and spoke in a little southern twang. After losing his mother, whom he thought hung the moon, God blessed him with a third granddaughter. Brytani was his little ginger girl. He was always so proud of her as he watched her graduate at the top of her class and go on to college. Joe was blessed to be able to enjoy a third generation of little ones. Adriana and her beautiful black eyes was his first real experience with being a grandad. He was so excited to water her grow into the wonderful young woman she is. Bella was his silly girl. His “most beautiful egg.” Attending her choir concerts was a great source of pride and joy. They read “The Velveteen Rabbit” every night. Bella took over this tradition by reading the story to him in his last hours. Ray was his grandad’s best friend. Every day Joe would wait patiently for Ray to get home from school, so he could cheat at Monopoly. Ray was Joe’s reason for living the last few years. The last girl in the family is Eva. She was Joe’s little athlete. When Michael came along, Joe was only a year away from his diagnosis. He spent that year running, tickling, laughing, and playing peekaboo with his last grandchild.The greatest loves in Joe’s life were his wife, two sons, four grandchildren, and five great grandchildren.He is survived by his wife of 59 years Susan; sons Michael of San Antonio and Larry and wife Dawn of The Colony; granddaughters Jennifer and husband David of Garland, Alexis of Austin, and Brytani of Dallas; grandson Landon and partner Weslee of Plano; great granddaughters Adriana of Mesquite, Bella of Garland, and Eva of Richardson; and great grandsons Ray and Michael of Garland.Visitation will be on Tuesday, February 6 from 5-9 PM at Restland Funeral Home. Funeral will be on Wednesday, February 7 at 3 PM in the Abbey Chapel at Restland Funeral Home.
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